Monica Bellucci is an Italian actress and fashion model.
Born in Cittadi Castello, Umbria, Italy, Monica Bellucci came from relatively humble beginnings and was the daughter of Maria Gustinelli, a painter, and Luigi Bellucci, who owned a trucking company. She began modelling at the age of 16, in order to pay her tuition at the University of Perugia, where she was studying law. She soon gave up her studies to pursue a career in show business.
Background
Ethnicity:
Bellucci was born in Città di Castello, Umbria, Italy as the only child of Luigi Bellucci.
Bellucci moved to Milan in 1988 and began modelling in Paris and New York the following year.
During her time as a model she has worked for the likes of Dolce and Gabbana, as well as Dior and French Elle.
Bellucci has also appeared on the cover of numerous magazines and in 2004 came top of AskMen's 100 Most Beautiful Women in the World list.
She speaks Italian, French, and English fluently, Spanish semi-fluently, and has appeared in films speaking each of these languages, as well as in Aramaic for her part as Mary Magdalene in ‘The Passion of the Christ’.
Career
Bellucci's film career began in the early 1990s. She played some minor roles in La Riffa (1991) and Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992). In 1996 she was nominated for a César Award for best supporting actress for her portrayal of Lisa in The Apartment and strengthened her position as an actress. She became known and popular with worldwide audiences, following her roles in Malèna (2000), Brotherhood of the Wolf, and Irréversible (2002). She has since played in many films from Europe and Hollywood like Tears of the Sun (2003), The Matrix Reloaded (2003), The Passion of the Christ (2004), The Brothers Grimm (2005), Le Deuxième souffle (2007), Don't Look Back (2009), and The Sorcerer's Apprentice (2010).
She was supposed to be seen portraying Indian politician Sonia Gandhi in the biopic Sonia, originally planned for release in 2007, but it has been shelved.
Bellucci dubbed her own voice for the French and Italian releases of the film Shoot 'Em Up (2007). She also voiced Kaileena in the video game Prince of Persia: Warrior Within, and the French voice of Cappy for the French version of the 2005 animated film Robots.
Empire magazine selected her as twenty-first on their list of "The Sexiest 25 Characters in Cinema - The Women" for her role of "Persephone" in the Matrix series.
Views
Quotations:
"Walking down the street now is even worse. Before, it was just because I was beautiful; now it's because I'm beautiful and famous. Everyone wants you at the same time, everyone hates you at the same time." -Monica Bellucci
"Terry Gilliam is considered in Europe as a genius, ... He has this freedom as a director - this fantasy. And he discovers what he wants from actors as he directs them, Monica Bellucci
so you have to be on your toes." Monica Bellucci
"Irreversible is not glamorous at all. I try to do different things because I want to grow as an actress and I like to Monica Bellucci
take risks." -Monica Bellucci